Mycorrhizal biofertilization improves grain yield and quality of hulless Barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. nudum L.) under water stress conditions

Drought is one of the most important factors worldwide, which limits crop production, especially in semi-arid areas. The use beneficial microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may represent an eco-friendly and biological technique to increase crops yields ensure food security. purpose this paper was evaluate effect AMF inoculation on a promised variety hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. nudum L.) under three levels water stress (well-watered, moderate drought severe drought). Hulless plants were inoculated, or not, with autochthonous inoculum (AI) containing five native species (Pacispora franciscana, Funneliformis mosseae, geosporum, Rhizophagus irregularis Glomus tenebrosum), commercial (CI) sp. strains. Under stress, especially, consortium has higher root colonization by 7-fold 23-fold comparison non-inoculated controls, conditions, respectively. Water decreased grain yield thousand-kernel weight barley. reduction less pronounced inoculated compared control ones. Plants showed approximately 90% 68.2% AI, 106% 83% CI, respectively than lower colonization, drought. At same time, amount K, Cu, Fe, Zn Ca increased significantly AI well CI. Compared plants, using led Na content grain. Fatty acids severity stress. Only well-watered condition, enhance C18:0 C18:1 contents plants. Moreover, total polyphenol flavonoid due both medium conditions. results obtained herein indicated that can tolerance resulting quality. Therefore, biofertilizers be regions suffering from lack order sustainable agricultural systems.